1/24 Meng Mclaren MP4/4

[Rich Chernosky]

Just couldn't resist doing this one even though it was the most recent aquisition.  Having just finished its 1/12 counterpart It looked simple enough given that I already had done most of the paint. It was also quite expensive and I was curious as tol why. Found out quick enough.  This is basically a shruink down version of the 1/12 kit and had many of the features found on the big one.  Not as easy as the larger scale as many of the details were quite tiny.  Color is Tamiya TS 26 white. Red is TS36 Flourescent red over TS43 Bright Orange. More details in the picture captions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engine bay is just as crowded as its big brother.  Fit of the pieces was a little bit more fiddly but it did go together well. Carbon fibre came with the kit. 

Cockpit was also just as detailed and the seatbelts also came with the kit. 

Completed chassis waiting for the body pieces.  This was a lot more work than I expected. 

Finished car on its wheels. Body fit was just as good although I had to add four metal pins to locate the upper portion to the chassis pan. Thjere were four attachment points that were way too small for a good attachment. I drill out the posts and added wires. Then drilled through the pan. When the body was fitted I bent these wires over and that is what holds it all together. Much cleaner that glue and removable if I want. 

Rear veiw. Suspension went together well and all four tires sit flat. Wing attached easier that I thought it would.  I use tiny wires drilled through that attachmnet points on the wings, then glue them from the bottom. I use Revell window cement as it is clear. Gives a nice assembly without the usual struggle. 

Couldn't resist a photo of the two of them together. Gives a nice comparison of the size. I used two different techniques on the red  but they still match nicely.  Once again the Marlboro decals were not included and came from the spares. 

 

Edited February 26 by Rich Chernosky

[Jim B]

Beautiful McLaren. Very well done. 

Glad you posted this as I'm looking to get one of these kits. Now I want one even more! 😁

Edited February 27 by Jim B

[bbowser]

Nice!  I just acquired this one in 1/24, hope it goes half as well.

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[Pierre Rivard]

Impeccable build as always Rich. The way you painted the Marlboro livery really pops and the color demarcation is super crisp. It does look like a an equally detailed but shrunk down version of the big brother. Well done sir!

[Rich Chernosky]

On 2/26/2025 at 6:22 PM, Jim B said:

Beautiful McLaren. Very well done. 

Glad you posted this as I'm looking to get one of these kits. Now I want one even more! 😁

Go for it Jim....this is one kit you will enjoy. Its all there. 

 

On 2/26/2025 at 6:56 PM, bbowser said:

Nice!  I just acquired this one in 1/24, hope it goes half as well.

I am sure it will Bruce. Just take your time. Its a little fussy but it all fits together. 

 

On 3/1/2025 at 6:00 AM, PappyD340 said:

Very nice!

Thanks Larry

 

 

22 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Impeccable build as always Rich. The way you painted the Marlboro livery really pops and the color demarcation is super crisp. It does look like a an equally detailed but shrunk down version of the big brother. Well done sir!

Thank you  Pierre. I have had lots of practice on that livery. Many models in four different scales all painted the same. The kit had the demarcation lines etched into the plastic.  That really helps.

 

[Gustavo Reis]

Nice Mclaren. 

[Mattilacken]

Beautifully done ! Looks like fun but challenging 1/24 kit! 

[Rich Chernosky]

On 3/2/2025 at 8:11 AM, Gustavo Reis said:

Nice Mclaren. 

Thank you

 

On 3/2/2025 at 3:35 PM, Mattilacken said:

Beautifully done ! Looks like fun but challenging 1/24 kit! 

It was fun despite all the very tiny parts.  Thank you Anton.

 

[Funkychiken]

Its a lovely build, loads of detail, probably why they cost so much, but it is an expensive kit!

Edited March 10 by Funkychiken
Spelling

[slusher]

Beautiful!

[ChrisR]

Very nice.

[Dave B]

Rich, I honestly don't know how you find the time to create such great builds so quickly!!

Dave B

[Rich Chernosky]

On 3/10/2025 at 5:27 PM, Funkychiken said:

Its a lovely build, loads of detail, probably why they cost so much, but it is an expensive kit!

Thank you Atin...but it was worth it. 

 

On 3/11/2025 at 12:42 AM, slusher said:

Beautiful!

Thanks

 

On 3/11/2025 at 4:17 AM, ChrisR said:

Very nice.

Thanks

 

On 3/11/2025 at 11:52 PM, Dave B said:

Rich, I honestly don't know how you find the time to create such great builds so quickly!!

Dave B

Thanks Dave.   Three things factor into this.  1.  I am retired and  and can sometimes spend up to 12 hours a day at the bench.   2. The bench is very well organized and clean so I never have to go scrounging for tools.  3. Its a dedicated work area with easy access to everything.   I also have lots of power tools and a paint booth that vents outside. I can paint year round and most of my work is sprayed.

 

[1959scudetto]

Excellent model, Rich - I don't know how I could miss that (probably a confusion of mine with your 1/12 model). Anyway, it looks as good as the bigger one.

[Rich Chernosky]

10 hours ago, 1959scudetto said:

Excellent model, Rich - I don't know how I could miss that (probably a confusion of mine with your 1/12 model). Anyway, it looks as good as the bigger one.

Thank you Helmut.  I kinda knew that would happen but I am glad you figured it out and got to see it.  And , as always thank you for the kind words.  Got a couple more F-1 builds  (Tamiya) in the works so be on the look out.